Here she is at 19.5 months!

This is the little fashionista playing with some necklaces. She is such a sparkly little lady!






Lauren has really enjoying playing with some Weeble hand-me-downs from her big cousin's. She really likes sending the Weebles down the slide and we find them all over the house!

This was Lauren's first foray out in the snow. And the snow had already mostly melted. Our winter was long, cold and windy...not really condusive to going out to play. We made the most of this day, thought.

Bad Blogger

I haven't blogged in a while...things have been so busy! I am going to be better at it!

Outside in Late November

For late November, in Iowa, it was an awesome day to be outside!!!! Lauren and I went out to take full advantage of the nice weather and get away from sicky grammy! Lauren would probably still be outside if I hadn't brought her in crying from a face plant! She was crawling on and off the trike, playing in the sandbox, going down the slide and yelling at the dogs. She has said both "puppy" and "woof" several times in the last two days. Finally, an animal that says something other than "MOO"!

Happy Turkey!

We are thankful for a happy, healthy family. Mike, Lauren and I would like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

Sick

Lauren hasn't been herself since Friday. When I came home from work she had a 101.7 temp. Has been up and down all weekend. She's been clingy...doesn't want down....doesn't want to be held, etc. I learned this morning that a kid at daycare has H1N1 and that secondary things like ear infections make it worse...of course Lauren has been pulling at her right ear since last night.

We made a trip to urgent care just to be sure. No flu. Ear infection. The gave us antibiotics, but as most ear infections are viral, I am not sure what good it will do. Girl is sleeping - for now.

Mommy's Little Helper

Lauren decided to sweep the garage while I was making supper! Of course, the regular video camera wasn't handy, so I grabbed my regular camera. Unfortunately, it doesn't have any sounds.

The Cutest Cow in the World

We took Lauren to Great-Grandma Holm's this afternoon for a little Trick or Treating. We are going to be Trick or Treaing in Sioux Rapids, so we had to go see her! We were going to see the Walls', but Janelle was sick, so we stayed away!

If its not one thing...

...its another.

Lauren has been handling getting her new teeth fairly well. We only have the dreaded "I" teeth left and we'll be done for a while. She gets a little crabby and we give her some Motrin and she's good.

She had some sinus issues for a while...nothing a little Sudafed couldn't fix.

But now, we are having sleep issues...for like the second time ever. I will not complain too loudly because I have friends (love ya Julie) whose baby's have had sleep issues pretty much since the beginning. And I know I am making it bigger in my head that it really is. It just worries me.

Lauren had become a night owl...being ready for bed between 9 and 10. She'd sleep all night and get up around 8 or when I had to wake her about 6:15 for daycare. Then, for 5-6 nights in a row she was an absolute bear to get to sleep. Kicking, screaming, etc. and it resorted in many car rides to finally get her to sleep. I knew this was a habit that I didn't want to get too deep into.

After consulting many knowledgable mommies, including the Daycare Goddess, Kathy, I tried putting Lauren to bed way early - like 7 - thinking that she was getting overly tired. I have tried that for 2 nights now. The first resulting in us being awake at 3:30 and the second at 4.

Tonight, we are meeting in the middle and going to bed at 8...I won't be far behind her!

Race for the Cure

Lauren and I, along with our friends, Brenda and Morgan participated in Omaha's Race for the Cure on today. At place where we started from it didn't look like there was a horde of people there, but as soon as we came up over the hill and could see 20,000 people it was inspiring. A great big lump came to my throat to see it! It was amazing to run into people we knew along the route - coworkers, friends and coworkers that are friends. The most amazing part was thinking about the 22,000 people that paid a minimum of $25 bucks to be there and how far that can go to finding a cure.

I walked in honor of my friend, Julie, who is currently kickin' cancer's a$$! I also had in my head Johnylyn Williams, who is the art teacher at our school and my friend Becky's mom (whose name is escaping my head right now) who are both survivors. I also thought about the friends and family who were walking "In Memory" of their loved ones who lost the battle, but are not forgotten.

Lauren Lately

Here's some recent pics of the big girl!

What's been going on?

Good question...we have been so busy!

School is back in full swing, which Lauren loves because she loves hanging out with the kids at daycare. I think that little Liam and George are responsible for Lauren's increase desire to give the walking thing a try...hey...she's gotta keep up with the boys to show them who is boss! She is up to take 4-5 steps at a time and is determined to stand up in the middle of the room. She is being elusive to getting both of these new things caught on tape or film.

Her mouth is filling up. 6 teeth completely through - one molar poked through and the other has her bottom gum so swollen that my teeth hurt! There are two more molars on the other side that are close, too! I think her "I" teeth are starting their trip because she has been really nasal!

The words are starting to flow as well. She is starting to really realize that she is communicating her needs and wants by pointing and grunting. My mom and I both swear the other day when she was eating that she said "All done, mom" - but alas, its hasn't been said again...she loves to say "moo" to Kathy's cows and "Bow" to grampy's dogs.

But my absolute new favorite thing that she has started to do is HUGGING! Seriousily - how can something as simple as a hug set the world right. She throws her arms around your neck and squeezes. It is even better when she is whispering "mom, mom, mom" over and over again in your ear!

Busy Girl

What can be said other than she is really busy....

Had to share

We've been so busy with vacation and me going back to school that it has been awhile since we've updated, but I had to share this video with everyone! I got it on our regular video cam, but I don't know how to upload from there. So I grabbed my regular digital cam and caught it on there - didn't think about having it turned funny - but its still so cute!

VACATION!

We are currently mid-pack for our annual vacation to Minnesota! I think we have gone every year since I was 5 or 6. Even though we don't go to our old resort, it is still a good time. Grammy and Grampy, Aunt Julie and Uncle Ryan, the three crazy cousins, Great Aunt LouAnn and Great Uncle Nyle and the Rydstrom family all go with us! We play lots of cards, swim, fish, tube, boat, sit around, shop and perhaps drink some beer. The day after we get back is our family reunion in Marathon! Then I start school! Craziness!

The 12 Month Version

It has been an amazing process to take this picture of Lauren every month on her birthday! The changes are immeasurable! At her one year appointment, she weighed 24 pounds 1 ounce and is 29.25 inches tall. Her head is off the charts big thanks to Mommy and Daddy! She isn't walking, yet, but she is a great cruiser and is talking a lot -"Uh oh" to quote Lauren herself. She has 4 teeth on top and 2 on the bottom and 3 are lurking below the surface!

The Birthday Party

It's been almost a week, but here are pics from Lauren birthday party! We had a great time! Grandma and Grandma Holm, Great-Grandma Holm, Grammy and Grampy T, The Siebrechts, The Harringtons, The Walls, The Burns - including Kendall and Dylan, The Rydstroms - including Lexi and The Kirwans all helped us celebrate. It was a great afternoon, unusually cool and not humid for July in Iowa. We got to hang out in the garage and play outside! Lauren thought it was BIG fun to get messy in her cake and she was a little leary of the presents until they got open! She got a lot of music makers, which is right up our Dancing Queen's little alley!

Here are some pics!

Tomorrow

Sunday is technically Lauren's last day of being a baby! On Monday she'll be one....where does the time go?

A year ago today we were at home, between hospital stays for the attempted and eventually failed induction. I remember being so tired from the night in the hospital, but yet feeling so peaceful because I knew that my baby was going to be here soon. It took another two days and some theatrics, but she got here safe and sound!

Now, the house is quiet - except for the roar of the tractor pulls at the fairgrounds. Mike and Lauren are sleeping and I am reflecting on the last year. It has been simply magical. Lauren was the ideal baby...need an example, the first night Mike went back to work after she was born was the first time she slept through the night. I find myself sitting just watching her. I like to watch her squat when she is playing...for some reason that just seems like such a big girl thing to do. I like to watch her watch things and drop things on purpose just so she can say "UH, OH"

The house is also clean and awaiting our friends and family that will be here tomorrow to help us celebrate. All the items are crossed of my list. I know that I forgot something...but if I did - who cares. Tomorrow is all about celebrating the life of my baby - Lauren Kathryne - who won't be a baby any more...

PS - there may be tears!!!

In the Fridge

I know, I know....2 posts in one day...but I caught Lauren in the act of standing in the fridge and had to share it with everyone!

Daily Changes

You would think with all the time I have off (haha) during the summer that I would be updating our blog more...but the time just seems to slip away every day. I think it is because I spend so much time marvelling in all the new things that Lauren is doing every day! It seems like every day a new thing is going on. Since we have been back from Ohio we have been very busy. Here's a list of things Lauren has done since then:

1) Standing up in the crib and playing and jumping like crazy...she just realized that you don't have to love flat on your back in the crib!
2) Saying dad and dadda - Mike can finally stop complaining!
3) Saying Hi - she paired it with mom this morning for "Hi Mom" - ESPN here she comes
4) Climbing - this morning she pulled herself up on the first ledge of the refridgerator by using the handle on the veggie drawer. The fridge is her fave place to play
5) Taking steps with a toy or sliding the chair across the floor!Eating Lucky Charms for breakfast - she actually ate the grain parts and only played with the marshmallows. They get very sticky (BTW) and we went directly to the bath tub after this one!

Now that the crib isn't just for laying down, this is how she fell asleep for her nap the other day!

Playing in the fridge and trying to step up on the ledge (mastered that this morning)! Blue ring fits between the top drawer and the bottom one - so glad I didn't spend 6 hours tearing the house apart looking for blue ring before I discovered that! I don't know if you can see it or not, but her "cerchunka" (aka thunder thighs) are also on display in the pic!!!

11 Month Update

We missed Lauren's official 11 month birthday because we were on our wonderful trip to see family in Ohio. We took the picture as soon as we got back on Sunday. She weighed in at 27 pounds! She changed so much this month. She now has 6 teeth - 4 on top and 2 on the bottom - and has two more bottom ones working through! She is completely mobile and into everything! She isn't walking unassisted, yet, but can with a toy or your hands! She is talking more and more. Lots of "momma" or "mommom" - whether she is referencing me or Julie. She also has "mamma" down pretty well to reference grammy! I have also heard things that sound like grandpa, please, thank you and up. Hope every one who is able to can join us at her birthday party on the 19th!